$1 million prize on line in jury trial

Wednesday, July 19, 2000 | 11:27 a.m.

A 3-year-old dispute over who is really entitled to win a $1 million prize from Pepsi Cola is about to be resolved.

Tuesday marked the first day in the trial of Judy Richardson versus Sindy Allen.

Richardson bought a Pepsi on March 17, 1997, from a convenience store next to the Wild Oats health food store at Flamingo and Pecos roads where she and Allen worked.

But Allen opened the bottle the following morning and found out it was a $1 million winner in the Pepsi Cola Globe Buck Contest.

According to a lawsuit filed by Richardson, she never had a chance to drink the Pepsi because the store became busy, and she left the drink unopened on a counter where she "normally places her possessions."

Allen, according to the lawsuit, refused Richardson's demand to surrender the winning cap.

The case is being heard by District Judge Gene Porter and a jury that was selected Tuesday. Pepsi Cola is awaiting the outcome of the suit before it awards the prize.

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